Petero adds punch to grand final

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Grand final day at the home of rugby league in Queensland always marks a special time of the year for Petero Civoniceva.

It’s been that way ever since 1994, when a fresh-faced Civoniceva turned out for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Colts grand final at Suncorp Stadium.

“We beat Wests that day and I was fortunate enough to sign with the Brisbane Broncos the following year,” he recalls.

The rest, as they say, is history. More than 300 NRL games, 33 State of Origins and 45 Tests for Australia – Civoniceva scaled the heights of the game in a decorated career that also included six Tests for his native Fiji.

In true Civoniceva style, he gave back to the game in 2013 by having one final season where it all started.

A grand final berth eluded Redcliffe in his rugby league swansong, but it is somewhat poetic that his beloved Dolphins are vying for this year’s title while Civoniceva is the face of the QRL’s "Super Sunday – Tomorrow’s Superstars Start Here" campaign.

The former Maroons star is encouraging rugby league fans across the state to turn out in force during the Intrust Super Cup finals series, which culminates with the grand final at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 25.

GENERAL GRAND FINAL INFORMATION
Sunday, September 25 @ Suncorp Stadium

Present your game day ticket to receive free public transport to and from the stadium aboard Queensland Rail City Network trains or Brisbane Transport buses.Tickets are also available at the gate on match day.

Featuring the top two teams from the state’s premier local competition, this year’s grand final is sure to deliver a thrilling contest at the spiritual home of rugby league in Queensland.

With three big games on a bumper "Super Sunday" program, the event offers exceptional value for money (full price list below).

More than 8000 supporters witnessed a watershed moment last year when the Ipswich Jets put on the afterburners to claim their first top grade premiership in more than three decades.

The team the Jets beat that day – the Townsville Blackhawks – remain in the hunt for redemption along with other premiership hopefuls the Redcliffe Dolphins, Burleigh Bears, PNG Hunters, Sunshine Coast Falcons, Souths Logan Magpies and Easts Tigers.

But such is the closeness of this year’s competition, it is anyone’s guess who qualifies for the showpiece game.

One thing we do know for certain is that the Intrust Super Cup will once again provide the platform for players to reach their NRL and representative dreams.

Last season, the likes of Matt Parcell, Josh Cleeland and Rod Griffin not only finished the year with grand final medals, but prized NRL contracts as well.

Along with the Intrust Super Cup premiership decider, the September 25 game day program will include the NRL Development Cup Primary Schools final and FOGS Colts Challenge grand final.

QRL Managing Director Rob Moore said it was shaping up to be a terrific season finale.

“Suncorp Stadium is the home of the game in Queensland and given the growth of the Intrust Super Cup in recent years, we’re delighted to be able to play our showpiece match at the best rugby league ground once again,” Moore said.

“The competition has gone to another level following the Pathways Review and as such we believe Suncorp Stadium is the natural fit for our grand final day.”